ALMOST 500 ARRESTS, ABOUT 50 POLICE HURT DURING PROTESTS

PARIS, NOVEMBER 5 /SRNA/ – Police arrested 448 people and 53 officers were injured during violent protests across France, the Interior Ministry said.

The ministry said police had been attacked by far-left extremists and several hundred radical protesters in a number of cities, including Rennes, Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. Violence was also reported in Paris.

Protesters threw improvised explosive devices, stones and fireworks at police.

According to preliminary figures, 86 cases of arson were recorded.

The ministry said earlier that more than 600,000 people had taken to the streets of French cities today, demanding higher wages and voicing support for the student movement.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 70,000 police officers had been deployed, backed by armored vehicles, drones and helicopters.

About a third of high schools were closed or unable to operate, some because of student blockades and others because teachers were on strike.

Public transport was disrupted in some areas, and the Eiffel Tower was closed today.